oil change mistake

[Diamondpilot]

I am not likely to do the gasket thing, since for some reason, it is my habit to try to get the oil film I need for the new gasket by wiping it off of the old gasket.

Why would you use old oil for this? I always open a container of oil and dip my finger in it to lube the new filter before I go under to do the change. Always new oil, never old dirty stuff. Its the first thing I do. I then slide under with 2 drain pans. Drain oil in one and in a much smaller one pull the filter then install the new on asap.

Chris

 

[EE_Bota]

Why would you use old oil for this? I always open a container of oil and dip my finger in it to lube the new filter before I go under to do the change. Always new oil, never old dirty stuff. Its the first thing I do. I then slide under with 2 drain pans. Drain oil in one and in a much smaller one pull the filter then install the new on asap.

Chris

Chris, we are talking around a drop of oil, so I don't think it is a problem, but I could do better. But, I thought I would ask, why do you install the new filter ASAP? There has to be a lesson there, so what is it?

 

[Bird]

For the amount of oil in question, it might not make any difference, but like Chris, I always used new oil on the new gasket; just doesn't seem right to use the dirty stuff.:laughing: But I only used one drain pan; used it to change the filter, then moved it to the drain plug.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Chris, we are talking around a drop of oil, so I don't think it is a problem, but I could do better. But, I thought I would ask, why do you install the new filter ASAP? There has to be a lesson there, so what is it?

Just efficiency. I do about 100 oil changes per year. I just do it while I am there. I have gotten to the point where I can change the oil in 15 minutes from start to finish. That includes putting all the tools away, pouring the used oil in the recycling jugs, ect.

Another thing I do is I numbered all my filter wrenches. I put that number on the oil change sticker plus the size of the drain plugs needed wrench. On things like mowers, tractors, and boats I write it on the filter itself along with the hours it was changed.

Chris

 

[dstig1]

The oil is just there to lube the gasket so it goes on better and doesn't stick coming off. You can use anything. I typically use the old oil as I can dip a finger in it from the drain pan that is right there. I put the filter on well before I open up the first new bottle of oil, so the old oil is much handier. And I ALWAYS check for the old gasket. Learned that one when the new filter wouldn't go on quite right for some reason many years ago...

I think the trick EEbota posted is a good one - use the oil on the old gasket. Makes you check that it came off with the filter. Wise move.

I take my time with car work. I screw things up enough as it is. I don't need to be hurrying to add more screw-ups to the pile...

 

[deerefan]

I bought 2 quarts of oil and a new filter this morning and put it on this evening. All went well but what I found amazing is the engine only had about a quart of oil in it. I did not realize that much leaked out. Luckily I had some extra in the barn. Thankfully I got it shut down before catastrophic failure.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I bought 2 quarts of oil and a new filter this morning and put it on this evening. All went well but what I found amazing is the engine only had about a quart of oil in it. I did not realize that much leaked out. Luckily I had some extra in the barn. Thankfully I got it shut down before catastrophic failure.

You will be surprised how much is in the old filter. Like I said I do more than 100 oil changes per year. I have already done two this week. I used to just turn over my filters for the night in a pan and let them drain. I then got fancier with a piece of old chicken wire on a wood frame set over a 5 gallon pale in the corner of my barn to let them drain.

About 2 months ago or so I made a drain catch pan. Its simply a old cake pan with a piece of expanded metal mesh on the top secured by 4 holes and 4 zip ties. I mounted it at a slight angle with a hole drilled in the low corner. It has a fitting and a piece of hose going down to a empty gallon oil jug.

What I now do is take a punch and punch a hole in the filter at the top and then one by the base plate as a vent. I then place them on the drain rack for a week or so with the top of the canister down and the base plate up. I can clearly see how much oil drains out and into my gallon jug. I changed the oil on 3 things last week. One was a 4.6L V8 Lincoln Aviator. One was a mower with a 18HP Kawasaki Motor. The last was a boat with a GM based 6.2L V8 engine. When I threw out the filters tonight I had drained nearly 2qts of oil from these 3 filters. I am amazed at how much more oil I get out versus just turning them upside down and draining.

Chris

 

[timswi]

I had the gasket stay behind on my 396 Chevelle once...That thing runs so hot sometimes that I think the gasket just stuck to the block. I did catch it though...Ever since, I check the old filter and the housing...I also check the pipe thread with my fingers, just to make sure it's tight...I did run into one of those backing one time...Don't remember what kind of car, but I'm sure it was an old one.

One other thing I do is double check that the gasket mounting surface is the same on both filters, Set the old one on the workbench, set a paper towel on top and set the newly lubed filter on top just to make sure they are the same (outlines are left on the paper towel)...Have run into times where they weren't even though the part numbers are correct...Why? Who knows? Even the counter guy didnt understand. Bad packaging or general mischief somewhere.

Bird, love that your daughters know how to change oil...That is outstanding. If they have to get their car worked on, most likely no one will be able to blow jive by them. Hat's off to that.

 

[hosspuller]

We have 2 daughters, but before I'd let them get their drivers licenses when they were teenagers, I not only taught them to check under the hood and tire pressure, but required them to "demonstrate" changing a tire. They had to actually get the spare out, get the jack, lug wrench, etc. and change a tire.:laughing: Wife is a different matter.

Same with my two daughters... Each has been glad they knew how at least once so far... 28 and 30 years old.

Parents job is to prepare children for life on their own, not live it for them.

 

[bigtiller]

Since all the manufactures started using the spin-on oil filters I have not had a gasket mishap. But back when everything had the canister type filter sometimes the gasket had to be dug out with what ever handy tool we could get up in there. I guess that is where I got in the habit of looking at the old one very good before putting in the new stuff.

 

[sixdogs]

When I worked in a garage 45 years ago--and loved it--we were taught to wipe the filter suface clean with a rag. No way to miss a stuck gasket that way.
As well, we were taught to double or even triple check the oil pan plug. It was pounded into my young and formable head and must have worked.

On the wife, it's taken decades but she now knows how to check the oil and look for leaks. Doesn't do it but she knows how.

 

[EE_Bota]

Just efficiency. I do about 100 oil changes per year. I just do it while I am there. I have gotten to the point where I can change the oil in 15 minutes from start to finish. That includes putting all the tools away, pouring the used oil in the recycling jugs, ect.

Another thing I do is I numbered all my filter wrenches. I put that number on the oil change sticker plus the size of the drain plugs needed wrench. On things like mowers, tractors, and boats I write it on the filter itself along with the hours it was changed.

Chris

Thanks Chris. I know you do a lot of work, so I wanted to make sure there is not a fundamental thing I was missing about the quick filter change.

I don't have many to do, so mine drains into the pan, and the filter area does too, frequently for an hour or more. I do basic other things....check the battery fluids, terminal tightness, rotate my tires while checking brake pad thickness, check all 8 cv joint boots, parking brake adjustment check, check top up brake fluid, ect.

Usually I take a break for something to drink, then I mark my overflow tank with tape so I can PROVE the overflow tank takes and GIVES water back to the cooling system so that I will have reason to believe that I can trust the level in the overflow tank to be a representation of the fill of the system.

(Marking the overflow tank is something I recommend to you guys too, but I don't suggest checking under the radiator cap unless you have the special situation I have where I have two caps at two separate locations, at slightly different heights, and with an unusual amount of tubing connecting up the system. I had a case where I was barely cooling, and I found the overflow tank high, the system low, and the tubing clogged, and the turbo area cap bad.)

I get way more oil out than people would expect by doing this. I get way more fresh new oil in that would otherwise be the case.

In Chris' s situation, I may not be able to do it in this manner, but in my situation, changing my oil at 7500 miles intervals, it all coordinates out quite well with my rotation and other minor services.

 

[deerefan]

When I worked in a garage 45 years ago--and loved it--we were taught to wipe the filter suface clean with a rag. No way to miss a stuck gasket that way.
As well, we were taught to double or even triple check the oil pan plug. It was pounded into my young and formable head and must have worked.

On the wife, it's taken decades but she now knows how to check the oil and look for leaks. Doesn't do it but she knows how.

I do that on my chevrolet, but the filter housing is a pain to get to on the ford. I can see it though and should have checked it.

 

[Soundguy]

when i precharge my new filter there is usually enough oil at the top of the filter to dab a finger into to run around the gasket.

soundguy

 

[LBrown59]

1*In all my years of changing oil, this is the first time something of this nature has happened.

1* It's never happened to me.

I am not likely to do the gasket thing, since for some reason,
2* it is my habit to try to get the oil film I need for the new gasket by wiping it off of the old
gasket.
Now, I DID leave the drain plug out once, and that made a heck of a mess.
3* I don't have a strategy for that, either.

2*I cant leave the old oil filter on the engine because I always use a lite and a clean paper towel or rag to clean off the base where the new filter gaket seals against the engene block .
3*I do because my rule of thumb is never open a can of oil before checking /tighting and installing the new filter and the oil drain plug .
Made that rule back in the late 50s when i was about 17 or 18 and poured all of the oil into the motor then noticed the puddle of nice fresh oil under the car .

Your daughter checks oil in the truck? Wow. I think that is great.
4*My wife doesn't know oil exists.
MoKelly

:laughing:

5*I put the filter on well before I open up the first new bottle of oil, so the old oil is much handier.
6*I ALWAYS check for the old gasket.
Learned that one when the new filter wouldn't go on quite right for some reason many years ago...
7*I think the trick EEbota posted is a good one - use the oil on the old gasket.
8*Makes you check that it came off with the filter. Wise move.

5*My rule of thumb is never open a can of oil before checking /tighting and installing the new filter and the oil drain plug .
6*I never do that because if it hain't on the block when i clean up the place where the new gasket seats on the engine that means it's still on the old filter .
7*YES but he still should clean up the place where the new gasket seals to the engine.
Could be grit or something else there that may
interfere with the gasket sealing.
8*But if you do as stated in # 7* that won't be necessary .
********************************
I don't understand why anyone would simply yank a filter off and stick on a new one without first inspecting and cleaning that area. :confused2:

 

[dodge man]

Several years ago, I forgot to add oil to my wifes Chrysler 300M. It only ran a minute and I stopped it right away, but its a good lesson to pay attention, no matter how simple the job.

 

[bdeboer]

I am not likely to do the gasket thing, since for some reason, it is my habit to try to get the oil film I need for the new gasket by wiping it off of the old gasket.

QUOTE]

That is the way my Dad taught me. His other reason for doing this was to check the gasket diameter by putting the gaskets of the two filters together.

 

[deerefan]

1* It's never happened to me.

2*I cant leave the old oil filter on the engine because I always use a lite and a clean paper towel or rag to clean off the base where the new filter gaket seals against the engene block .
3*I do because my rule of thumb is never open a can of oil before checking /tighting and installing the new filter and the oil drain plug .
Made that rule back in the late 50s when i was about 17 or 18 and poured all of the oil into the motor then noticed the puddle of nice fresh oil under the car .
:laughing:

5*My rule of thumb is never open a can of oil before checking /tighting and installing the new filter and the oil drain plug .
6*I never do that because if it hain't on the block when i clean up the place where the new gasket seats on the engine that means it's still on the old filter .
7*YES but he still should clean up the place where the new gasket seals to the engine.
Could be grit or something else there that may
interfere with the gasket sealing.
8*But if you do as stated in # 7* that won't be necessary .
********************************
I don't understand why anyone would simply yank a filter off and stick on a new one without first inspecting and cleaning that area. :confused2:

I did not post this to be criticized. I beat myself up enough over it. If you knew the vehicle i was working on, you would know where the filter mounts in not easily accesable. I posted this first to remind people to check twice and second for guys with more experience to advise me of any damage i may have done. If you look back thru the posts a lot of us have made mistakes. Thanks to all who have shared good advice and your own mistakes. Helped a lot

 

[Soundguy]

reminds me of my yukon... oil filter is an near impossible to access spot unless you have a pit to stand in.. plus there is a bolt on stabilizer in the way.. almost as bad as removing a starter from a dodge 360 gasser...

soundguy

 

[deerefan]

reminds me of my yukon... oil filter is an near impossible to access spot unless you have a pit to stand in.. plus there is a bolt on stabilizer in the way.. almost as bad as removing a starter from a dodge 360 gasser...

soundguy

Yep. My truck is 4wd and all the drivers side suspension components are in the way. The filter mounts on the side of the block just above the differential.